Roller lock assembly for a picture screen



Nov. 13, 1962 Filed Feb. 27, 1958 E. J. PETRICK 3,063,495

ROLLER LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A PICTURE SCREEN j 1 /l 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov.13, 1962 E. J. PETRICK ROLLER LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A PICTURE SCREEN FiledFeb. 2?. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flverz 071' ja/zaamfm ww/g 2%? UnitedStates Patent Manufacturing, Inc., Franklin Park, 111., a corporation ofIllinois Filed Feb. 27, 1958, Ser. No. 718,081 7 Claims. (Cl. 16024)This invention relates to a portable picture screen assembly, and moreparticularly to a roller-lock for holding the reel against rotation whenthe screen is in exposed operative position.

Picture screen assemblies are commonly provided with a spring actuatedreel of the shade-roller type to which an edge of the flexible screenweb or picture screen is secured. When the assembly is not in use, thepicture screen is wound upon the reel for convenience in storing. Theflexible picture screen, usually made of cloth, has a light reflectivesurface and has commonly been attached to the reel by lapping a marginaledge portion about the reel and securing the edge portion to the screenby a line of stitching or metal staples. When the screen was Wound uponthe reel for a long period of time, the double thickness of screen nearthe reel frequently caused the formation of spaced indentations or lineson the viewing surface. Screen tensioning devices have been partiallysuccessful in eliminating these indentations or lines.

The indentations on the viewing surface of the screen can be minimizedif the line of stitching is eliminated and the screen edge is attacheddirectly to the reel by an adhesive. If the reel is left free to rotate,any pull on the screen in fully exposed position is exerted against theline of adherence between the screen edge and reel so that the screenedge will ultimately be stripped from the reel. However, the screen edgeand reel attachment can be maintained secure by locking the reel againstrotation when the screen is in fully exposed position so that any forceon the screen is sustained by an area of contact between the marginaledge portion of the screen and the reel.

In the earlier Patent No. 2,822,040 of Ed Petrick et 211., issuedFebruary 4, 1958, a device was shown for locking the roller againstrotation. The present invention is another form of roller-lock which isadapted to hold the roller against further rotation when the screen isunwound to fully exposed operative position. With the present struture,an end of the picture screen may be adhered to the reel so that theproblem of the lines of indentation on the screen surface will beminimized. In addition, the manufacturing step of attaching the screenweb to the reel is simplified and expedited. Experience has also shownthat the picture screens can be attached more accurately which resultsin less screen rejects and in accompanying savings in costs of picturescreen material.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved roller-lock assembly for a portable picture screen.

Another object is to form a picture screen assembly which substantiallyeliminates the problem of indentations on the viewing surface of thescreen web.

A further object is to provide a roller-lock assembly for a picturescreen having cooperating catch portions which are automaticallyengageable when the picture screen is in fully exposed position to holdthe reel against further rotation.

Still another object is to provide a roller-lock assembly for a picturescreen having a catch portion mounted on the screen casing and normallyurged against the surface of the picture screen except when the screenis in exposed operative position, the catch portion being automaticallymovable through a cut-out portion of the picture screen when the screenis in exposed operative position to cooperatively engage a second catchportion on the reel and hold the reel against further rotation.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a picture screen assemblyshowing the picture screen suspended in exposed operative position;

FIG. 2 an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the picture screencasing of FIG. 1 showing partly in dotted outline the relative positionsof each of the pairs of cooperating catch portions adjacent the oppositeends of the screen reel;

FIG. 3 an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the casing shown inFIG. 2 showing the picture screen wound upon the reel;

FIG. 4 a sectional view taken as indicated on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the picture screenbeing unwound from the reel and a catch portion or dog projected intoholding engagement with the trailing edge of an opening in the tubularreel; and

FIG. 6 a sectional view taken as indicated on line 6--6 of FIG. 3.

In the embodiment illustrated, and referring particularly to FIGURE 1, aflexible screen web or picture screen, generally designated 10, is shownsuspended in exposed operative position from a supporting standard,generally designated 11. The lower part of the standard is broken away,but a foldable type of tripod standard is preferably used to support thepicture screen assembly.- As herein shown, the standard 11 includes amain tubular section 12 into which a rod member 13 may be telescoped.The free end of the rod member 13 is provided with a bail support 14from which the picture screen 10 may be suspended, {and rod member 13 ispreferably made adjustable as to height by a manual clamp (not shown) atthe upper end of the tubular sec.- tion 12.

A screen casing, generally designated 15, having decorative caps 16 atits opposite end portions may be pivotally secured to the tubularsection 12 of .the standard 11 by a mounting cradle 17, preferablyformed of metal. As will be explained more fully later, the screencasing 15 houses and rotatably supports a screen reel, generallydesignated 18, to which an end of the screen 10 is secured. The reel 18is spring-actuated and normally tends to rotate so as to wind up thescreen 10 upon the reel in closed inoperative position.

The free end of the screen 10 is preferably provided with a transverselyextending slat 20 to which a resilient elongated channel member 21 issecured at spaced points 22 and 23. The channel member 21 is preferablynickel or chrome plated for decorative purposes, and carries a bailmember 24 in its medial portion. To extend the screen 10 into exposedoperative position, the screen is pulled outwardly through alongitudinal slot 25 'in the casing 15, and the bail member 24 is hookedover the bail support 14. I

A tensioning meahs 26 is indicated in dotted outline in FIGURE 1. Themeans 26 is preferably of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,793,687 ofEdward J; Petrick, issued May 28, 1957, and reference is made to thatpatent for a more complete description of the screen tensioning device.It is sufficient for purposes of the present invention to merely setforth the functioning of means 26. That is, when the pivoted hand lever2.7 is swung downwardly through the casing 15. and-the reel 18 arecarried downwardly in, relation to the bail support 14 so 3 that thechannel member 21 is flexed and exerts reactive forces upwardly in theopposite longitudinal marginal edge portions of the screen 10 to pullthe screen 19 uniformly taut over its entire surface.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opposite ends of the casing 15 areeach provided with a closure plate 3% beneath the decorative cap 16. Theclosure plates 3% are generally round as shown in FIG. 4 and areprovided with a number of inwardly projecting guide lugs 31 which assist in centering the closure plates upon the ends of the casing. Thecenter of each plate so is apertured as at 32. to snugly receiveflattened end 33 and 34 of reel supports, generally indicated 35 and 36respectively. By making the apertures 32 of the closure plates 38closely conform to each of the flattened ends 33 and 34, the reelsupports 35 and 36 are held against rotation with respect to therotatable reel 18.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 through 6, the reel v1t is preferably tubularand formed from metal in the shape of a right circular cylinder. Thereel support 35 is maintained in axial disposition with respect to thereel 18 by a pair of U-shaped bearings 37 and 33 spaced longitudinallyof one end of the reel 13. Each of the bearings has central apertures,as at so and 41, to journal an end of the reel. upon the spaced bearingsurfaces as and 43 of the reel support 35. One or both of the U-shapedbearings 37 and 38 may be secured to the reel. As herein shown, only thebearing 37 is so secured by the cap screws 44.

' To avoid metal-to-metal contact between an end reel 18 and a closureplate30, a relatively stifi fiber washer 45 may be provided as shown atthe left of FIG. 3. Fiber guide Washers may also be provided about thereel support 35' and on opposite sides of each of the 'U-shaped bearings37 and 38 as shown at 46 and 47.

' The reel support 36 is generally supported in a manner similar to thatdescribed with respect to reel support 35. That is, U-shaped bearings 50and 51 are centrally apertured at 52 and 53 to make a close fit withlongitudinally spaced bearing surfaces 54 and 55 of the reel support 36.Again, one ot the tel-shaped bearings, hereinbearing 51, is secured tothe rotatable reel 18 by cap screws 56. A relatively still fiber washer57 fits about the flattened end 31 ofthe reel support 36 to preventmetal-to-rnetal contact between the reel 18 and the closure plate 30.Also, fiber 'guide washers 60 and 61 are provided about the reelsupport-.36 on opposite sides of the U-shaped bearings 50 and 51 tomaintain the relative positions of the U-shaped bearingsand the toolsupport 36.

Thus, when the reel 18 is rotated, the reel supports 35 and 36 extendingaxially of the reel 13, are held against rotation by the flattened ends33 and 34 hearing against the. closure plates 30. The reel 18 then isactually jourhaledtor rotation by the U-shaped bearings 37, 38, 5d and5:1 rotating upon the spaced bearing surfaces 42, 43, -34 and 55.

As previously mentioned, the reel 18 is normally spring urged inadirection so as to wind the picture screen upon the lateral surface ofthe reel .18. As herein shown in FIGURE 3, a relatively heavy coiledtorsion spring 62 embraces the length of the reel support 36. One end ofthe coil spring 62: is secured within a slot 63 of the nonrotatable reelsupport 36, and this split end of the reel support. 36' is bent in themanner of a cotter pin to hold the fiber washers 60 and the U-shapedbearing 37 in place. The other end of the coil spring 62 is securedabout a pair of lugs 64' struck inwardly from the U-shaped bearing 38. Arubber or plastic sleeve 65 may be provided Within the coil spring 62and about the reel support as to minimize nietal-to-rnetal contact.Thus, when the screen 10 is pulled outwardly ofthe screen casing 15, thereel 18 and the U-shapedbearing 38 are rotated so as to impart atorsional stress to the coil spring 62. This spring torsion issufticient to cause a rotation of the reel 18 and rewind the screen 10about the lateral surface of the reel when his esired to move the screento closed, inoperative position within the casing 1 As best seen inFIGS. 3 through 5, the lateral surface of the tubular reel 18 isprovided with a transversely extending slot near each of its oppositeends. When the screen it) is being unwound from the reel, a trailingedge 67 of the slot 66 forms one of a pair of cooperating catch portionsabout which more Will be said later.

The screen 10 is provided with a lower transverse marginal edge portion68 which is smoothly and accurately secured to the reel 18 preferably bya conventional adhesive. The screen edge portion 68 is then preferablywound once or twice about the reel 18, and a part of the marginal edgeportion 63 is removed as at 70 to expose the slot 66 in the reel 18.When the screen it) is completely wound on the reel 18, a longitudinallyextending portion 71 of the screen 10 covers the slot 66 in the reel sothat no member can be projected therein. In the present structure,automatic locking of the reel 18 against rotation when the screen 1% isin fully exposed operative position (FIG. 1) is accomplished byproviding a second cooperating catch portion normally urged toward thereel surface and in position to project into and engage the trailingedge 67 of the reel slot 66. To this end, a bracket, generallydesignated 72, is secured to the inner surface or the screen casing 15by a number of cap screws, not shown. As best shown in FIGS. 3' through5, a second catch portion or dog 73 is pivotally supported on anintegral downturned bracket shoulder 74 by a pin 75. The shoulder '7 hasan inwardly extending lug 76 which acts to limit the counterclockwisepivoting of the dog 73 (see FIG. 5). The lug 76 also carries a leafspring 77 which bears against the dog '73 and normally urges the dog ina counterclockwise direction as shown in F116. 4. The free end of thepivoted dog is preferably provided with a hook member 73 arranged tocooperatively engage the trailing edge 67 of the reel slot 66 to holdthe reel 18 against further rotation in a clockwise direction as showninPlG. 5.

The outer end of the bracket 72 is also provided with an apertnredintegral shoulder 80 which receives a bolt and its nut as at 81 tofirmly secure the closure plate 3% on the end of the casing 15. Aprojection 82 formed integrally with the shoulder 89 is also providedand extends outwardly through an opening in the closure plate 3% to-further strengthen the mounting of the bracket 72.

Although only one bracket 72 and its dog 73 has been described as shownin FIG. 3, similar structures are shown mounted on each end of thecasing 15. The brackets and dogs are accurately positioned so that thedog 73 will simultaneously enter and engage the trailing edges 67 of theslots 66 in the reel.

The operation of the present device can best be understood by referringto FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. As the screen 10 is pulled outwardly of the casing15 through the casing slot 25 toward fully exposed operative positionshown in FIG. 1, the smooth side of the dog 73 initially bears againstand rides on the longitudinally extending portion '71 of the screen 10.However, just as the screen 10 reaches fully exposed position, the dog73 rides off of the interposed screen portion and is projected inwardlyinto reel slot 66 where the hook member 78 of the dog engages about thetrailing edge 67 of the slot 66 to prevent further rotation of the reel13. Having thus anchored the reel against rotation, the tensioning means26 may be actuated to pull the screen taut and the screen marginal edgeportion 68' will remain securely attached to the lateral surface of thereel 18.

When it is desired to move the screen 19 to closed inoperative position,the tension on the screen is first released by turning the hand lever 27of the tensioning means 26. From FIG. 5 it can be seen that the reel 18is automatically released from its engagement with the dogs 73. This isaccomplished by the counterclockwise rotation of the reel 18 whereby theforward edge 83 of the reel slot 66 strikes the dig and pivots itupwardly out of the slot 66 against the action of the leaf spring 77.The dog 73 then continues to ride upon the surface of the screen as thescreen 1% is being rewound upon the reel 18.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

I claim:

1. A roller-lock assembly for a picture screen, comprising: an elongatedstationary support; a spring-actuated rotatable reel for a picturescreen journaled in said support, said reel having an opening in itslateral surface to provide a first catch portion; a flexible screenhaving a transverse marginal edge portion attached to said rotatablereel, the screen being wound upon the reel when in closed position andbeing adapted for unwinding from the reel to exposed operative position,said screen having a slotted portion adjacent the transverse marginaledge portion and in alinement with said first catch portion to exposethe first catch portion when the screen is unwound to exposed operativeposition; and a second catch portion mounted on the stationary supportadjacent said first catch portion and being spring-urged toward thefirst catch portion, said second catch portion normally bearing againstthe screen wound upon the reel, and being adapted to move through theslotted portion of the flexible screen into engagement with the firstcatch portion to hold the reel against rotation when the screen isunwound to exposed operative position.

2. A roller-lock assembly for a picture screen as specified in claim 1,in which the reel is tubular and the first catch portion is the trailingedge of the opening as the reel is being unwound.

3. A roller-lock assembly for a picture screen as specified in claim 1,in which the reel is tubular so that the trailing edge of the opening asthe reel is unwound provides the first catch portion, and the secondcatch portion comprises a pivoted dog spring urged toward the firstcatch portion and provided with a terminal hook, said pivoted dognormally bearing against the screen wound on the reel and being adaptedto move through the slotted portion of the flexible screen to engagesaid terminal hook about said trailing edge of the opening to hold thereel against rotation when the screen is unwound to exposed operativeposition.

4. A roller-lock assembly for a picture screen as specified in claim 3,in which the opening in the reel is of such a size relative to thepivoted dog that the forward edge about said opening contacts and pivotsthe dog out 50 of the opening when the screen is being rewound upon thereel.

5. A roller lock assembly for a picture screen, comprising: an elongatedstationary support; a rotatable reel for a picture screen journaled insaid support; catch portions on said reel and on said stationary supportpositioned for cooperative engagement to arrest rotation of said reel,one of said catch portions being normally urged toward the other toeffect latching engagement; and a flexible picture screen secured at oneend to said rotatable reel, said flexible picture screen being normallyinterposed between the catch portions when wound upon the reel in closedposition and having a cut-out portion adjacent said one end and inalinement with the catch portions, so that when the screen is unwound toexposed operative position, the cut-out portion will expose the catchportions to each other for latching engagement to arrest rotation of thereel.

6. A roller lock assembly for a picture screen, comprising: an elongatedstationary support; a rotatable reel for a picture screen journaled insaid support; catch portions on said reel and on said stationary supportpositioned for cooperative engagement to arrest rotation of said reel,one of said catch portions being normally urged toward the other toeifect latching engagement; and a flexible picture screen adhered at oneend throughout a. transverse marginal edge screen surface area to saidrotatable reel, said tiexible picture screen being normally interposedbetween the catch portions when wound upon the reel in closed positionand having a cut-out portion adjacent the adhered screen surface areaand in alinement with the catch portions so that when the screen isunwound to exposed operative position, the cut-out portion will exposethe catch portions to each other for latching engagement to arrestrotation of the reel.

7. A roller lock assembly for a picture screen, comprising: an elongatedscreen casing; a spring-actuated rotatable reel journaled in saidcasing; catch portions on said reel and on said casing positioned forcooperative engagement to arrest rotation of said reel, one of saidcatch portions being normally urged toward the other to efiiect latchingengagement; and a flexible picture screen secured at one end to saidrotatable reel, said flexible picture screen being normally interposedbetween the catch portions and wound upon the reel in closed positionand having a cut-out portion adjacent said one end and in alinement withthe catch portions, so that when the screen is unwound to exposedoperative position, the cutout portion will expose the catch portions toeach other for latching engagement to arrest rotation of the reel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS513,783 Hartshorn Jan. 30, 1894 2,099,068 Keithly Nov. 16, 19372,337,369 Borchers Dec. 21, 1943 2,703,687 Petrick May 28, 1957

